LF: USB Soundcard with 5.1 optical out

[nobb]

Looking for a usb sound card that can do 5.1 output via an optical toslink connection. Let me know what you have.

[em2ab]

Funny, had one in my hands this afternoon at Memory Express but it was too expensive. It was $80.

[punky]

look at the turtle beach ones on ncix.com.

[clem24]

I have a USB Creative Extigy:

http://www.watch.impress.co.jp/pc/docs/2002/0111/extigy3.jpg

(not my pic btw). It is spec'd very well. Works great. It has

- 5.1 analog out
- optical in and out (on front)
- coax out in back
- Dolby Digital decoding on board (I think it can act as a stand alone DD decoder)

Yours for $40.

[nobb]

Thanks for the offer, but the Extigy is too big and requires an additional +12v input. I was hoping for something compact that runs on USB alone.

As for the Turtle Beach, I'm guessing you are referring to the Audio Advantage Amigo?
http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=29495&vpn=TBS-1127&manufacture=TURTLE%20BEACH%20SYSTEMS

I have the TB Audio Advantage Micro and the problem is I cant get 5.1 surround sound working through the optical SPDIF with my home theatre. Center and front channels work, but rear channel is played through the fronts. Ive tried downloaded bluray movie files, THX test discs, and sample HD files from microsoft (VLC media player and WMP).

Ive been trying basically all afternoon today. Anyone have any opinions? Do I need to look for something with a built in decoder or something?

I might pick up a Creative X-Fi USB as a last resort. The crystallizer feature seems neat...

[clem24]

NP. Crystallizer is retarded if you care at all about sound quality and staying pure.

[em2ab]

Don't mean to hijack but I might be able to help you keep costs down. Why do you want external? Why not use an internal PCI sound card with optical out?

[nobb]

My laptop is my main machine, so can't use PCI. Plus, I carry it around the house, eg. hook it up to the big screen + home theatre in the living room.

[em2ab]

Originally posted by nobb
My laptop is my main machine, so can't use PCI. Plus, I carry it around the house, eg. hook it up to the big screen + home theatre in the living room.

:hijack:

Are you sure it doesn't have the yellow RCA for S/PDIF? That should give you Dolby Digital. If not, then carry on with your thread, I just thought that might help you out if it did.

[punky]

http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=29564&vpn=XONAR%20U1W&manufacture=ASUS
no idea how well it works, but it has DD5.1

[msommers]

http://www.turtlebeach.com/products/audio-advantage-srm/home.aspx

http://us.creative.com/products/product.asp?category=0&subcategory=&product=17751&nav=1

http://www.quietpcusa.com/Zalman-External-51-Channel-USB-Sound-Card---Real-Surround-Sound-ZM-RSSC-P185C27.aspx